GUEST BIO

Paul Stitt: Weighing In on
the 'Super Size' Phenomenon

The 700 Club

In his Sundance Award-winning documentary "Super Size Me," filmmaker
Morgan Spurlock begins a mission to eat nothing but McDonald's fast food for
30 days. He is monitored by three doctors. His comic quest sends him on an
emotional rollercoaster as he gains an injurious 24.5 pounds within those
30 days and his vital signs go off the charts.

How is that possible? Paul says that is possible because the American food
industry deliberately makes food that does not satisfy. "It's hollow
food, food that has no substance to it," he says. That's why one feels
hungry soon after eating it. In their processing, the food companies take
out the nutrients, and add artificial flavorings and lots of sugar. They add
stimulants that create cravings. In the film Paul says Morgan eats 5,000 calories
per day! People can eat that many calories per day and still be hungry soon
after because the food is specially designed to do that. That seems to be
shortsighted on the part of the industry. Paul says they think in terms of
making as much money as they can today, not thinking about the long-term effects
of what they are doing.

Paul knows this subject firsthand because he worked for several major food
companies years ago and became alarmed at what he saw as unhealthy food practices.
Scientifically, he knew this was not the best way to process food. When he
voiced his concerns, he was ignored at best, called a crazy radical at worst.
He says they tried to ban him from speaking in the media and on TV, but they
could not since there is free speech in America.

He started his own company in 1976. "I predicted this epidemic of obesity
25 years ago," he says. "Now that there is an epidemic of obesity,
many call me now to speak at their conferences."

TRIED AND TRUE

In his film Morgan crosses the country talking to fast food customers, visiting
schools, and interviewing many experts. Paul says he came to Morgan's attention
when Morgan did a Web search to find a healthy school lunch program. He found
only one, which was the one in Wisconsin's Appleton School District. In the
movie Morgan shows what happens when things are done right. This bright spot
is the Peak Performance school lunch program created by Paul and his wife,
Barbara, which is now in its sixth year. "I am delighted to be part of
Super Size Me," he says. "Morgan has humorously depicted in 96 minutes
what has taken me 20 years to research."

Morgan highlighted an Illinois school lunch program where a plate of french
fries or a slice of pizza are daily fare - much like the rest of the nation's.
Contrast that to Paul's program where burgers and soda machines are out and
salad bars and energy drinks are in. After removing every vending machine,
the school hired two cooks to prepare meals based on fresh produce, whole
grains, and energy drinks. School officials noted a decided change in the
students' behavior - they are able to better focus in class and they feel
better.

"Kids are bombarded with fast food - even in school," Paul says,
"but I've proven if you give them healthy alternatives, they'll make
the right choice and life-changing results will follow." Parents and
educators need to accept responsibility for our exploding childhood obesity
problem. "So many kids are suffering because they are obese and unhealthy,"
he says. In 1997 the Stitts underwrote the $100,000 five-year program in Appleton's
Central Alternative High School for students identified as at-risk or with
discipline problems. The school district has plans to expand the program to
its 25 schools that serve 15,000 students.

VALUE

When asked if eating healthy costs too much, Paul puts this in perspective.
A loaf of whole grain bread averages $2.00 per loaf. Because this bread feeds
and satisfies the body, one slice per meal is enough. Three slices per day
(a loaf and a half) equals $3.00 per week, which totals $150 per year. Whole
grain bread provides 50 percent of all the nutrients you need. Add some turnip
greens, apples, bananas, chicken, or fish, and you have a healthy, satisfying
meal. Contrast that to spending at McDonald's (per the movie) $27 per day
on average - that is $9 per meal - and staying hungry. That totals $850 per
month. Paul says fast food gives you the perception of being cheap, but it's
not. To eat well you have to think ahead and plan. To enjoy a healthy pot
of beans, you have to start them the day before. This is not high tech, he
says, not gourmet, but just fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Paul
says the Lord put in food all we need to stay healthy. We have to be wise
in eating it.

Paul says he would like to encourage young people to start companies. Look
at the long-term benefits. All Natural Ovens' products are certified Kosher
Pareve by the Chicago Rabbinical Council Pas Yisroel.